Sick pay still on many employers’ agendas, reports survey

A study by financial protection insurers Unum suggests that a massive 81 per cent of employers are offering sick pay above the statutory minimum. 88 per cent of employers believe that providing adequate sick pay rates are “fairly” or “very important” to their business.

In addition, two-thirds of those surveyed will continue to pay long-term absentees for up to a year, while 12 per cent are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty by offering support for more than a year.

Competitive health benefits are extremely revered in the recruitment industry, so firms advertising jobs in London, Manchester, Glasgow and anywhere else in the country would do well to highlight their health packages.

Further statistics from the survey show that 28 per cent of ill/injured people fall into poverty while off work, while one-third live in poverty within a year of leaving work – accentuating the need for a competitive benefits package within a business.

Jack McGarry, chief executive of Unum UK, commented on the survey to i-l-m.com: “We believe that benefits packages need to be reviewed and rebalanced. Over three-quarters of employers provide death in service/life assurance to their employees.”